When the Job Candidate Can't Count

By Nailene Chou Wiest

If you can't do simple math, maybe you can become a public-school superintendent. No basic math skill is required for this job that pays a six-digit annual salary plus generous benefits. Not bad in a time of high unemployment for white-collar workers.

Recently I served on an advisory committee to select a superintendent for our 3,000-student local school district. After a nationwide search, a consultant presented to the school board and advisory committee seven semifinalists. The seven, the consultant assured us, were "highly qualified,'' each with at least five years of experience of overseeing a public-school district.

We were very excited that these accomplished individuals had shown interest in our district, which has its share of problems in dropouts, drugs, teenage pregnancies,...